It's time again that I wrote to you and let you know what's going on here in N/E Germany with the Gospel choir work. Thanks for your continued prayer support. God is working and I am very excited to see what He is doing in the choirs, in the choir members, and in me. What a great God we serve! He deserves our praise and love.

Thanks to all who had been praying for our choir day on October 18. Over 80 people participated in the rehearsal/fellowship day and we had a great time and also accomplished much. Such a day is always filled with a lot of hard work, but also times where the choir members can get to know each other better. The people enjoy seeing the choir members from the other towns, and being able to practise together in a large group, experiencing the power of 80 voices singing together. On these days it is important to me that we have a time where everyone has a chance to stop and think, think about the most important issue of our existence: The Gospel. I was thrilled to see that everyone came to the devotional hour (I didn't call it that. :-)) to hear about the true meaning behind the Gospel songs we sing. I'd really prayed that God would give me the thoughts and words I needed for this. It is not easy for me to give such a "lecture" in German, so I'd written out what I wanted to say in advance and had a Christian friend correct my German grammar. Then I worked on memorizing it so I wouldn't just read it. Also, I awoke one night a couple of weeks ago and had ideas for three simple skits which would underline what I wanted to say. I got mostly Christians from the choirs to do these, and they all did a wonderful job. This brought humor into the hour, and if the people forget what I said, they will remember the skits at least! And hopefully, think about the meanings of them. I explained the Gospel and had written out scripture verses, which I had people read at the appropriate places. This also helped so that I wasn't talking the whole time. (I didn't want anyone to go to sleep.) Now please pray that people will think over what was said. I told them it was the most important decision of their lives. I know that some people in the choir (atheists) just tolerate such times in our rehearsals and on these choir days. Some of them looked down nearly the whole time. But God can reach hearts, where we can't see a way. And He will bless His Word to the nourishment of their souls.

God is also answering your prayers about new choir members. I prayed specifically that He would bring people into the choirs who are prepared to hear His message. We have three new ladies in the Feldberg choir and all of them are interested in starting to read the Bible! Two of them didn't even own a Bible. I have since remedied that and given them New Testaments and we've started reading the Gospel of John before the rehearsals. Pray that they will continue in this and that the Spirit of God will open their understanding and hearts.

Also, God is sending us more men for the choirs! This is a true miracle. Men who will sing are so hard to find here! On Sunday, some of the choir members sang in the service at the church where we'd held our choir day. It was a wonderful service. A State Church with a pastor who believes the Gospel message, whom I've known ever since he and his wife have been here. Last night a young man came to the rehearsal in Neubrandenburg, who had been in that service and had enjoyed the choir music. He caught on so quickly and fit in so well. Our basses were very glad to have him join them. Our people are so friendly to new-comers (just like a church should be. :-)) Another man came to part of the choir day with one of our regular members from Feldberg and said he, too, would like to sing with us. In our last rehearsal for the Neustrelitz/Mirow choir, a new bass joined us. This is a great encouragement. Pray that these men will stay with it and sense the presence of God until they, too, will want to know Him.

God is also giving me strength for all the tasks He assigns me. What a privilege to be His servant! I still have a lot to learn about how to be a good one, but He is a gentle, patient Teacher. He picks me up when I stumble along, and I rely on Him to clean up the messes I make. His mercies are new every day! And the signs of His love through the gifts He so graciously gives us, proves to us again and again that He is a loving Father. May you, too, be full of the joy of getting to know Him better and better.

Love to you all along with gratitude for your interest and prayers, Linda